Laser plumb bob and level aid

Abstract

A plumb-bob device has an enclosure with three lasers projecting from one end, one of which projects a horizontal lane, one in a vertical plane, and one with crossed planes from a laser that is suspended to swing but not rotate about an axis. The device may be attached to an object to be leveled or plumbed, and moving the object until the lasers coincide accomplishes plumbing the object.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A plumb-bob device, comprising:
 a framed enclosure having first and second planar ends, first and second planar sides, a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface; 
 a first laser device in the framed enclosure, projecting in a first plane from the first end, the first plane orthogonal to the bottom surface; 
 a second laser device in the framed enclosure, projecting in a second plane from the first end, the second plane parallel with the bottom surface, and at a right angle to the projected plane of the first laser device; 
 a third laser device in the framed enclosure, projecting in a third and a fourth plane crossed orthogonally, the third laser device suspended by a linear member from a joint on a rigid frame member in the enclosure, such that the third laser device projects in a direction of an axis of the linear member, and may swing in any direction relative to the axis of the linear member, but may not rotate about that axis, and such that with the axis of the linear member orthogonal to the first planar end, the third plane is parallel to the first plane, and the fourth plane is parallel to the second plane; 
 a power supply and circuitry adapted to power the lasers; and 
 an attachment interface on the bottom surface adapted to attach the device to a planar surface of an external object. 
 
     
     
       2. The plumb-bob device of  claim 1  wherein the attachment interface comprises a series of magnetic strips on the bottom surface, the strips presenting a bottom plane parallel with and away from the bottom surface, such that placing the device by the strips on a plane surface of an object comprising magnetically permeable material attaches the device to the object. 
     
     
       3. The plumb bob device of  claim 2  wherein the circuitry further comprises a first normally open proximity switch implemented on the bottom surface of the enclosure near the first end, and a second normally open proximity switch implemented on the bottom surface of the enclosure near the second end, such that, as the bottom plane of the strips contact a planar surface of an external object, both switches close, indicating that the device is intimately joined to the external object, and closing a circuit that lights the lasers of the device. 
     
     
       4. The plumb-bob device of  claim 1  further comprising a pointed pin acting through the device vertically, orthogonal to the top and bottom surfaces, the pin connected to a palm button above the top surface, with a compression spring constraining the pin to be withdrawn to above the bottom surface of the magnetic strips, until a user presses the palm button, advancing the pointed pin to pierce and engage a pliable surface of an object, fastening the device to the surface of the object. 
     
     
       5. The plumb-bob device of  claim 1  further comprising a first stationary spot laser projecting orthogonally from the planar first side, a second stationary spot laser projecting orthogonally from the planar second side, co-linear with the first stationary spot laser, and a third stationary spot laser projecting orthogonally from the planar second end, the three stationary spot lasers lying in a common plane. 
     
     
       6. The plumb bob device of  claim 1  wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery, and further comprising a charging port on one surface of the enclosure. 
     
     
       7. The plumb bob device of  claim 1  wherein the first and second lasers radiate red and the third laser radiates yellow, such that, when projections coincide, the color turns orange. 
     
     
       8. The plumb bob device of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure is formed of rigid polymer material. 
     
     
       9. A laser-implemented plumb bob system, comprising:
 a tripod apparatus having foldable and extendable legs, and a planar mounting plate of magnetically-permeable material, the planar mounting plate adapted by universal joint to the tripod to be oriented to attain a position wherein the plane of the mounting plate is vertically plumb with respect to a surface upon which the tripod rests; and 
 a laser-implemented plumb bob device having a framed enclosure having first and second planar ends, first and second planar sides, a top planar surface and a bottom planar surface, a first laser device in the framed enclosure, projecting in a first plane from the first end, the first plane orthogonal to the bottom surface, a second laser device in the framed enclosure, projecting in a second plane from the first end, the second plane parallel with the bottom surface, and at a right angle to the projected plane of the first laser device, a third laser device in the framed enclosure, projecting in a third and a fourth plane crossed orthogonally, the third laser device suspended by a linear member from a joint on a rigid frame member in the enclosure, such that the third laser device projects in a direction of an axis of the linear member, and may swing in any direction relative to the axis of the linear member, but may not rotate about that axis, and such that with the axis of the linear member orthogonal to the first planar end, the third plane is parallel to the first plane, and the fourth plane is parallel to the second plane, a power supply and circuitry adapted to power the lasers, and a magnetic attachment interface on the bottom surface joining the laser-implemented plumb bob device to the adapted to attach the device to a planar surface of an external object; 
 wherein the laser-implemented plumb bob device is mounted to the planar mounting plate of the tripod device by magnetic attraction.